The morning of departure arrived beneath clear skies.
For the first time since Lin Yuan entered North River City, no snow fell from the heavens.
Cold air still lingered across the streets, but the sunlight shining over the city walls carried the first hints of approaching spring.
North River Spirit Hall was already awake.
Members moved throughout the compound carrying supplies, weapons, medicine, and camping equipment.
Stable workers prepared horses while several spirit masters checked maps and travel routes one final time.
The atmosphere was efficient.
Disciplined.
This was no casual expedition.
The Star Dou Forest was among the most dangerous regions on the continent.
Even experienced spirit masters respected it.
Lin Yuan arrived at the main courtyard shortly after dawn.
More than thirty people had gathered.
Most were spirit masters.
A few were support personnel responsible for logistics and transportation.
Among them, Lin Yuan immediately spotted Han Feng speaking with several team members.
Nearby stood Xu Mingshan.
The vice hall master’s silver robes reflected the morning sunlight as he reviewed documents with a serious expression.
When he noticed Lin Yuan approaching, he nodded.
“Ready?” Lin Yuan adjusted the travel pack on his shoulder.
“Yes.” Xu Mingshan studied him briefly.
The boy looked calmer than many adults preparing to enter the Star Dou Forest for the first time.
No excitement.
No nervousness.
Just focus.
The vice hall master found that increasingly difficult to understand.
At twelve years old, most geniuses still possessed obvious emotional weaknesses.
Lin Yuan seemed different.
Not emotionless.
Simply controlled.
The thought reminded Xu Mingshan of old veterans returning from war.
A strange comparison for a child.
The vice hall master eventually dismissed the thought.
“Stay close to the main group.” Lin Yuan nodded.
“I understand.” A loud horn suddenly echoed across the courtyard.
The expedition members immediately gathered into formation.
Conversations ceased.
Equipment checks ended.
The mood shifted instantly.
Xu Mingshan stepped forward.
His voice carried across the entire courtyard.
“Our destination is the eastern outer region of the Star Dou Forest.” Several maps unfolded behind him.
“The area contains suitable spirit beasts for everyone participating.” His gaze swept across the gathered spirit masters.
“Follow orders.
Maintain formation.
Do not pursue prey alone.” No one objected.
These instructions existed because people had died ignoring them.
The Star Dou Forest punished carelessness.
Xu Mingshan rolled up the map.
“We depart now.” The gates of Spirit Hall opened.
Moments later, the expedition began moving through North River City.
Citizens stepped aside as the group passed.
Some watched curiously.
Others respectfully.
Spirit master expeditions were common enough to recognize yet rare enough to attract attention.
Lin Yuan walked near the center of the formation.
The city slowly faded behind them.
Stone roads became dirt paths.
Buildings transformed into open fields.
Civilization gradually disappeared.
Hours passed.
The group maintained a steady pace.
Unlike ordinary travelers, spirit masters possessed exceptional endurance.
Few breaks were necessary.
By afternoon, the last signs of human habitation vanished completely.
Only wilderness remained.
Ancient trees stretched endlessly across the horizon.
Mountains rose in the distance.
Birds circled overhead.
Nature ruled this region.
Han Feng eventually moved alongside Lin Yuan.
“First time leaving civilization?” Lin Yuan glanced toward him.
“Depends how you define civilization.” Han Feng laughed.
“Fair answer.” The Spirit Elder pointed toward the distant forest line.
A massive green wall dominated the horizon.
Ancient.
Endless.
Alive.
“The Star Dou Forest.” Even from this distance, its scale felt overwhelming.
Lin Yuan silently observed.
In the original timeline, countless important events would occur there.
Future Shrek Seven Devils.
Spirit beasts.
Destiny itself.
Yet today— It represented something simpler.
His future strength.
As evening approached, the expedition established camp near a river.
Temporary tents appeared quickly.
Fires were lit.
Food was prepared.
Experienced teams worked with impressive efficiency.
Lin Yuan spent most of the evening observing.
Learning.
Watching how veteran spirit masters organized security rotations.
How scouts reported information.
How supply distribution worked.
Combat strength alone never guaranteed survival.
Preparation mattered.
Experience mattered.
After dinner, Xu Mingshan gathered the younger members around a campfire.
The vice hall master pointed toward the dark forest visible in the distance.
“Tomorrow we enter.” Silence followed.
Even the most confident participants listened carefully.
“The outer regions are relatively safe.” A few older spirit masters smirked at the word relatively.
Xu Mingshan ignored them.
“Nevertheless, never underestimate spirit beasts.” His expression hardened slightly.
“A ten-year spirit beast is not automatically weak.” Several younger members straightened.
The vice hall master continued.
“Animals fight to survive.” His gaze swept across the group.
“Humans often fight for pride.” The lesson was simple.
But important.
Pride killed people.
The Star Dou Forest did not care about talent.
Or status.
Or reputation.
Only strength and judgment mattered.
Eventually, the meeting ended.
Most participants retired to their tents.
Others took watch positions around the campsite.
Night settled quietly across the wilderness.
Lin Yuan remained awake.
Sitting alone near the riverbank.
The flowing water reflected moonlight as it moved through the darkness.
The forest waited beyond.
Silent.
Mysterious.
Dangerous.
For some reason, he found himself thinking about Tang Chen.
The future master of the Clear Sky Clan was still trapped within Slaughter City.
Fighting a losing battle against madness.
Every day.
Every year.
Alone.
Lin Yuan closed his eyes briefly.
His path toward changing that fate remained distant.
He had not even obtained his first spirit ring.
Yet the thought strengthened his resolve.
This journey wasn’t only about becoming stronger.
Strength existed for a purpose.
Otherwise it was meaningless.
A cool breeze passed through the trees.
The river continued flowing.
Far away, a wolf howled beneath the moonlight.
Lin Yuan opened his eyes again.
The reflection staring back from the water looked calm.
Determined.
Tomorrow, he would step into the Star Dou Forest.
And for the first time since awakening the Asura Prison— His true path as a spirit master would begin.